BEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering

ENG1002: Engineering Mathematics and Scientific Computing

This module introduces modern Engineering Mathematics by teaching maths alongside programming.

What you learn in this module will support mathematical content in core modules throughout your programme. You will be introduced to core mathematical tools for modelling Engineering systems which will be developed further in Year 2. You will learn about statistical methods of analysis that are vital tools for Engineers in the 21st century.

An elementary introduction to programming in Python will be provided which will equip you with valuable data processing and modelling skills. The teaching of Python will mirror mathematical content, building on knowledge of specialist packages for matrices, differential equations and statistics.

This module aims to provide you with all mathematical tools to tackle modern Engineering problems. It will allow you to develop strong quantitative skills, such that mathematical tools become second nature so you can focus directly on Engineering challenges and concepts. An important aspect of this is to provide a solid foundation in programming so that it will help you develop new ways of Engineering thinking and cutting-edge solutions to ever-changing societal challenges.

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ENG1005: Multi-Disciplinary Group Challenge Project

The University declared an environment and climate emergency in May 2019. The future of our planet and community is at stake. We know though that simply declaring an environment and climate emergency is not enough so you will be part of a team involved in this real-world Project Based Learning (PBL) module to show our commitment to leading the change required. Your career as a professional engineer will require you to work effectively with multi-disciplinary teams on complex and challenging projects. In preparation for this working environment your first task as a new engineering student will be to work on energy harvesting during this multidisciplinary challenge project.

The PBL driving question is ‘How can we harness ocean energy and convert it into reliable, sustainable and cost-competitive electricity that can be used to power homes, transport, and industries’.

The purpose of this module is to:

• Address the climate emergency through a team project focused on energy harvesting. The PBL project will facilitate the application of the core engineering knowledge gained in Fundamentals of Mechanics, Materials and Electronics.
• Develop 21st century skills in creativity, collaboration, communication, critical thinking, problem solving, leadership and technology literacy.
• Gain valuable experience in research/study skills, sketching, technical communication, 3D modelling and prototyping.
• Steering projects through the design process and creating prototypes for a final PBL ‘Public Product’.

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ENG1007: Fundamentals of Mechanics

In this module we focus on classical mechanics. At the heart of any engineering analysis is the need to understand an object’s response to its environment, whether it’s the forces imparted by traffic as it traverses a bridge or the forces of lift that allow an aircraft to fly. None of this analysis is possible without first understanding classical mechanics. In this module you will cover foundational mechanics theory.

This module aims to equip you with fundamental knowledge and skills in Mechanics. It also consolidates a common knowledge base and begins the development of a learning methodology appropriate to a professional engineer. Through both continuous assessment and the end of year exams, the module encourages you to actively manage your own learning and seeks to develop your ability to communicate your understanding of engineering theory and concepts in a professional manner.

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ENG1008: Fundamentals of Materials

In this module, we focus on two sub-disciplines, fracture mechanics and additive manufacturing. At the heart of any engineering analysis is the need to understand an object’s response to the applied conditions, whether it is the allowed stress level to avoid catastrophic failure of pressurised vessels, or altering material micro- and nanostructures to provide improved ductility, strength, or resistance to fracture. None of this analysis is possible without first understanding basic materials.

You will work through new topics each week with the aid of extensive learning materials, lectures, tutorials, and experimental activities. You will undertake several online continuous assessments throughout the module, which will allow you to evaluate your understanding of the material and diagnose areas that require further attention. Continuous assessments provide ongoing feedback and support you to actively manage your learning.

The module is taught using a flipped learning methodology. Each week, you will review background materials. A flipped learning methodology allows you to extract more benefit from guided tutorials but also requires more upfront work by you in preparation.

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ENG1009: Fundamentals of Electronics

This module introduces the key building blocks of modern electronic systems, focusing on both analogue and digital electronics. You will learn how components like diodes and transistors help control and amplify signals, and how operational amplifiers are used in everyday devices. On the digital side, you’ll explore how computers and digital systems make decisions using logic, learning about the basic rules (Boolean algebra) and building blocks (logic gates, flip-flops, and counters) that underpin digital technology. The module blends theory with hands-on activities to help you understand how electronic circuits work and how they are used in real-world applications.

You will also take part in assessed practical electronic laboratories that introduces and develops your practical electronic skills in soldering and wiring. These practical laboratories will also develop the familiarity with using test and measurement equipment and applies your knowledge in both analogue and digital fields and demonstrate applications of their circuits.

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ENS1000: Fundamentals of Engineering

This module exemplifies the unique approach taken here at Exeter to nurturing the next generation of multidisciplinary engineers. It will introduce engineering concepts and theory across the areas of Mechanics, Materials and Electronics and will provide you with a solid grounding on which to build in later modules.

In this module we focus on two sub-disciplines of materials, material science and material engineering, with topics spamming from material properties, material structures, material failure and material applications. At the heart of any engineering analysis is the need to understand an object's response to the applied conditions, whether it is the allowed stress level to avoid catastrophic failure of pressurised vessels, or altering material micro- and nanostructures to provide improved ductility, strength, or resistance to fracture. None of this analysis is possible without first understanding basic materials.

We also focus on classical mechanics. At the heart of any engineering analysis is the need to understand an object's response to its environment, whether it's the forces imparted by traffic as it traverses a bridge or the forces of lift that allow an aircraft to fly. None of this analysis is possible without first understanding classical mechanics. In this module you will cover foundational mechanics theory.

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ENG2003: Electronic Engineering Challenge Project

This module develops the necessary electronic design and practical skills in an electronic engineering degree course through a project based learning approach. Through this project, you will design, implement and test a complete communications system to solve an engineering problem. This module is delivered as an industrial project where you will be working as part of a group to bring the project to a successful conclusion. Through the project based approach, you will use your existing knowledge, learn new theory and skills or adopt a heuristic approach to tackle some aspects of the work. In this way you will gain practical understanding of the electronic design process which can not be developed through lectures alone.

Design, implementation and evaluation of a practicable wireless voice communications system.

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ENG2008: Microcontroller Engineering

A microcontroller is a small computer on a single integrated circuit. It is widely used in automatically controlled systems and devices such as appliances, automobiles, robots and mobile phones. In this module, you will be introduced to the fundamental principles of the design, operation and application of microcontrollers. This includes the architecture of microcontrollers and peripherals, such as various types of memories, analogue and digital input/output interfaces, serial communication modules, timers and interrupts. You will also learn how to program a microcontroller and gain extensive practical experience of designing an embedded system using a microcontroller.

Prerequisite module: ENG1009 or equivalent

This module aims to develop your understanding of the fundamental principles of the design, architecture and applications of a microcontroller. The laboratory sessions concentrate on the microcontroller development system, and you will get the chance to use programming languages to develop a range of microcontroller based applications.

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ENG2009: Modelling of Engineering Systems

This module is designed to introduce second year undergraduates to mathematical modelling techniques for engineering systems, and their implementation using scientific computing (e.g. python).

1. To strengthen mathematical and computational skills for solving mathematical challenges arising in the modelling of engineering systems.

2. To acquire a large variety of analytical, numerical and mathematical techniques to be used for those engineering problems.

3. To build practical skills in translating engineering problem statements into mathematical models / questions, and then analysing, simulating and solving the problem by writing a software programme.

4. Understand the concept of analytical and numerical approximation, and learn methods to validate and test your mathematical formulation and programme.

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ENG2017: Communication and Networking Technologies

Communications and networking technologies are rapidly evolving, and have revolutionised the ways in which we socialise, and network in business. This module gives you the chance to gain in-depth knowledge of these technologies, and the ways in which they are used. You will learn all about protocols - the set of rules and instructions that computers and other devices follow when they communicate with each other across a network. Furthermore, you will gain invaluable practical experience, using the Internet as a tool to assist on your own project, in which you will conduct a risk analysis, and gain a deeper understanding of the impact that viruses can have on computer networks. You will also get the chance to see computer applications and protocols in action, when lecturers give demonstrations, using real life examples.

The aim of this module is to equip you with the underlying theory and knowledge that underpins the fields of communications engineering and computer networking. You will learn about the nature and purpose of key telecommunication and networking principles, and apply these principles to addressing typical telecommunications and networking problems. You will demonstrate what you have learnt by critically evaluating a specified communication system, and providing an appropriate technical solution to a problem associated with that system.

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ENG2118: Analogue and Digital Electronics Design

Analogue and digital signals are found in all modern-day technology, from mobile phones to aircraft. This practical, hands-on module teaches you how to design, simulate, build and test real electronic systems.

You will get the chance to design electronic circuits using basic analogue and digital circuit building blocks, including transistor amplifiers, integrated circuit operational-amplifiers, filters, oscillators, counters, decoders, adders, latches and multiplexers. Furthermore, you will devise complex digital systems using programmable logic, such as Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). Finally, you will design a range of practical circuits, simulating their performance in modern electronics simulators (Multisim and HDL) and explore their hardware implementation taking into account practical considerations such as component tolerances for circuit analysis and improvement.

Throughout the module, lecturers will use a variety of case studies to aid your learning, including the design of amplifiers, filters and synchronous counters.

Prerequisite module: ENG1009 or equivalent

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ENS2005: Control Engineering

The advancement of technology during the 20th century put control engineering on the map - and it still plays a critical role in everything from simple household washing machines to high performance fighter aircraft. This module will give you a fundamental understanding of control engineering for single input single output systems. In particular, you will analyse the fundamental concept of feedback and its impact on system dynamics. You will study the performance of closed loop systems from a time domain and frequency domain perspective. Classical approaches to studying closed loop systems will be introduced including root-locus, Nyquist and Bode diagram methods. The module will also describe a method for parameterizing all stabilizing controllers for a given plant model, and how this result can be used from a design perspective. The module will also introduce the fundamentals of proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control, which you will use to analyse and design control systems. The module will describe the concepts of gain and phase margins for assessing the robustness of closed loop systems to modelling uncertainty.

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ENS2033: Electrical Machines and Drives

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ECM3174: Year in Industry

The Year in Industry module will provide you with an opportunity to undertake practical work experience in a business, commercial or public sector engineering environment that is of direct relevance to your development as an experienced professional. You will apply the knowledge and skills from taught modules in the workplace, which will give you important insights into your potential job role once you graduate from university. You will be responsible for finding your own placement (with support from the Student Experience and Employability Team and the Career Zone). All paperwork to support the approval of the placement must be submitted by you, and approved by the module leader at least 4 weeks in advance of the start date for your placement. You can undertake your work placement in the UK, any part of the European Union countries that participate in the Erasmus+ programme, or other approved international setting.

The aim of this module is to provide practical work experience in a business, commercial or public sector setting that is of direct relevance to the subject-specific aims of your degree programme. Crucially, the module will also develop and enhance critical soft skills which are in demand within the engineering sector, e.g. communication, team working, time management, planning, resilience, commercial awareness.

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ECM3166: Communications Engineering

Communications lie at the heart of our modern-day society so our communication systems need to deal with ever-increasing amounts of information, to operate at ever-increasing speeds, use lower and lower powers and protect personal data. In this module you will learn how to modern communication systems, such as wired and wireless technologies and optical fibre systems, meet such demands and, importantly, how to design modern communication links from a systems level perspective.

Prerequisite module: ENG2017 or equivalent.

The purpose of this module is to develop the subject-specific knowledge, understanding and skills, required to design and analyse modern-day communication systems. It develops the signal and system theory framework necessary to further your understanding of the operating and performance-limits of analog and digital communication systems. Furthermore, it applies such theory to real-world communications examples, including analog and digital radio, fibre-optic communications and wireless systems.

Finally, the module describes in detail the design and implementation of a range of modern-day digital communication systems, such as digital mobile communications links, computer communications, radio and TV broadcasting systems, optical fibre communications.

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ECM3175: Individual Project

The Individual Project module will enable you to put into practice your research, project management and engineering skills, engaging you in the development of your own real world solution to an engineering problem or challenge. From clearly articulating the rationale for your project, to scoping and refining the design and finished product, you will work individually to apply the knowledge gained from other modules in your degree programme. You will be expected to innovate, create and present your engineering solution, honing your entrepreneurial as well as academic and practical skills. In this way, the module will enable you to develop valuable transferable skills for future employment in industry.

In this module, you will apply the knowledge and skills obtained from taught modules to devise a real engineering solution at a professional level. You will be encouraged to use initiative, imagination and creativity during the management of your project, devoting around 300 hours of independent study towards its completion. You will study with greater levels of autonomy than in previous taught modules.

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ENG3004: Engineering Electromagnetics

A fundamental knowledge of electromagnetics is critical when pursuing a career in electronic engineering, providing you with understanding of how signals travel in conductors and in space for applications in communications and antenna systems and foundation for designing such systems. Beginning with the physical exploration of electromagnetics, you will study the origins of electric and magnetic fields, looking at the historical impact and application of electromagnetism. Furthermore, you will investigate electrostatics and the electric field as well as magnetic forces and magnetostatics, applying this knowledge to real world engineering problems; exploring theories, such as Maxwell's equations, you will develop essential problem-solving tools. Meanwhile, studying communication systems, you will consider elements such as the transmission of mobile phone signals and how radio works, incorporating Hertz's first measurement of radio waves. Assignments will cover practical exercises and open-ended problems to design your microwave waveguides or antenna systems with numerical models.

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ENS3013: Electric Machines and Power Electronics

Electric machines play an important role in industry, manufacturing, transportation and every aspect of our life. This module provides fundamental understanding of the main types of electric machines used in industry including DC machines, induction and synchronous machines. You will learn their principles of operation, equivalent circuits, control schemes and applications. This module will also cover semiconductor power electronics as important control devices and circuits in modern electric machine systems and power conversion. The theory will be supported by a series of hands-on practical experiments to understand the operation and design of electric machines and power electronic circuits for real-world applications.

The aim of this module is to build a fundamental knowledge and understanding of the different types of electric machines used in industry and their applications, and develop the ability to analyse their operation, characteristics, and performance. This module also aims to develop fundamental knowledge of semiconductor power electronics and the ability to analyse and design power converter circuits as control elements of electric machine and other power systems. Through lectures, tutorials, worksheets and hands-on practical sessions, you will acquire knowledge and skill for the analyses of electric machines and power electronics for real-world applications.

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ENS3014: Power Systems Analysis

Resilient electrical power systems are an essential part of the infrastructure essential for a modern society. This module will deepen your insights into steady-state power system operation and develop your skills in power system analysis. Hand calculations on a simple 3-bus power network will help you understand simulation-aided power flow calculation on a large interconnected power network. Emphasis will be on the optimisation of the power system benefits in implementing economic dispatch and optimal power flow. An important aspect of this module is the delivery style, a mixture of theoretical and practical lectures and simulation-based laboratory exercises.

This module aims to develop your understanding of power system operation and its analysis from multiple core engineering perspectives. On successful completion of this module, you will attain the capability to calculate power flows in large power systems by iterative numerical approaches, be able to determine an optimal and economic dispatch of a power system and understand the criticalness of power system faults. This module will increase your confidence in performing an independent assessment of the steady-state operational conditions associated with a power system.

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ECM3165: Digital Signal Processing

In our technologically oriented world we need to process, interrogate and manipulate ever-increasing amounts of data from a wide variety of sources - such as video, audio and text, information databases, sensors and measurement systems, manufacturing equipment and robotic systems etc. Today, such signal processing is invariably carried out using digital techniques, and so digital signal processing (DSP) has become an invaluable and integral part of a wide variety of fields ranging from consumer electronics to medicine to space exploration. In this module you learn about the theory that lies behind the enormous popularity and power of DSP, as well as learning how to design and implement real-world DSP systems.

This module introduces you to the fundamental principles of digital signal processing, from both theoretical and practical viewpoints. You will get the chance to design digital signal processing systems for a range of important application areas, and to develop experimental digital signal processing applications using the XiLinx FPGA devices.

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ENG3012: Mechatronics

This module takes you into an interdisciplinary field of engineering dealing with the integration of mechanical, electric and electronic components coordinated by a controller. You will have the chance to learn a broad range of mechatronic systems and components, including analogue and digital circuits, sensors, actuators, energy harvesting and system integration to gradually build your capability to design mechatronic systems. You will also have practical hands-on session to learn how to build real-world mechatronic systems, ranging from simple LED light flashing and DC motor control circuits, to complex robot arm control and ultrasonic range detection.

Aimed at both electronic and mechanical engineers, this module combines major components of mechanical, electric and electronic engineering to explore how mechatronic systems are designed and built, right from learning the fundamental knowledge and concepts of major components in the systems, through to building mechatronic systems for real-world applications.

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ENG3017: Quality Control and Improvement

This module focuses on the fundamentals of total quality planning and improvement for both manufacturing and service organisations. The main focus is to monitor and control quality, and the way in which quality can be continually improved within an organisation. This module covers the importance and history of quality, definition of quality and total quality, the contribution of quality gurus, total quality tools and the improvement cycle (i.e., the seven quality control tools, statistical process control, Taguchi loss function method, and process capability), and root cause analysis; ultimately to improve product and/or service quality, increase customer satisfaction, and improve profitability and competitiveness. In this module, quality management related software will be introduced to tackle bigger and more complex quality datasets.

This module aims to systematically provide you with:

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ENG3018: Control Engineering

The advancement of technology during the 20th century put control engineering on the map - and it still plays a critical role in everything from simple household washing machines to high performance fighter aircraft. This module will give you a fundamental understanding of control engineering for single input single output systems. In particular, you will analyse the fundamental concept of feedback and its impact on system dynamics. You will study the performance of closed loop systems from a time domain and frequency domain perspective. Classical approaches to studying closed loop systems will be introduced including root-locus, Nyquist and Bode diagram methods. The module will also describe a method for parameterizing all stabilizing controllers for a given plant model, and how this result can be used from a design perspective. The module will also introduce the fundamentals of proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control, which you will use to analyse and design control systems. The module will describe the concepts of gain and phase margins and the H-infinity norm, for assessing the robustness of closed loop systems to modelling uncertainty. The lectures are supported by computer laboratories for modelling and simulation of systems using the Control Engineering toolbox in Matlab.

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ENG3023: Zero Emission Vehicles

Today, it is of paramount importance to stimulate the creativity of students to solve the challenges in the decarbonisation of the transportation sector.

This module aims to provide you with a solid foundation in modelling and control techniques for zero-emission powertrains. Throughout the module, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of the core components of a fully electric vehicle, including batteries, power converters, electric motors, and drives, as well as mechanical elements. Furthermore, the module will introduce you to the fundamentals of energy balance and management principles specific to electric vehicles, along with an introduction to optimization approaches applied in this domain.

The module provides a comprehensive exploration of the concepts of modelling, energy-power management, control, and optimisation as they relate to zero-emission vehicles. It will enable you to develop a range of interdisciplinary skills at the intersection between mechanical, electrical, and control systems engineering. A central theme of the module is to demonstrate the significance of mathematical modelling and equations in critically evaluating power requirements, efficiency, and energy balance in the context of electric vehicles.

The module will encourage the creation of an inclusive team-work environment where you will contribute as a group to achieve common goals.

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